Gaging apparatus



Dec. 28, 1965' C. B. BEGG Em.

GAGING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21, 1962 A 7703MB/ Deu 28, 1965 c. B. BEGG ETAL GAGING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2l, 1962 :Q par@ MJ .1.

ATTRA/EY' United States Patent O 3,225,584 GAGING APPARATUS Clayton B. Begg and John R. Janny, maiia, Nebr., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, NX., a corporation of New York Fiied Feb. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 174,892 11 Claims. (Cl. 72-461) This invention relates to gaging apparatus, and more particularly to gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device for a forming operation. It is an object of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus of this character.

It is standard practice in the manufacture of certain structural members to perform forming operations thereon in a punch press, and such a practice is followed at the present time in the manufacture of certain plate members to be used 'in telephone crossbar switching frames, to form bends in the plate members along opposite edges thereof. Since these vbends must be formed in a plate member parallel to one another, and also must be formed accurately with respect to apertures in the plate member for subsequent assembling thereof into a crossbar switching frame, it is necessary that the plate member be located laccurately in the punch press for the bending operations. Further, it is necessary that the locating of the plate member in the punch press for the bending operations be performed rapidly, especially where a large number of frame members are being manufactured.

Accordingly, another object of this invention is to provide new and improved gaging apparatus for accurately locating a plate member in a punch press for a bending opera-tion.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improved gaging apparatus for rapidly locating a plate member in a punch press for a bending operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improved gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device wherein the gaging apparatus is movable into member locating position in response to positioning of the member in the forming device.

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved gaging apparatus for locating `a member in a forming device wherein the gaging apparatus is movable into supporting engagement with the member in response to positioning of the member in the forming device.

In accordance with the invention, a beam is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends in a device for performing a forming operation on a member. When the member is positioned in the forming device in engagement with a mechanism on the beam on one side of its pivotal axis, the engagement of the member with the mechanism causes the beam to rotate on its pivotal axis to move a member locating mechanism on the beam on the other side of its pivotal axis into position for locating the member in the forming device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, 'a pair of laterally spaced parallel beams are pivotally mounted at their midpoints for limited rotation on aligned axes in a punch press including elongated punch and die members for forming bends in a plate-like member, so that the axes of rotation of the beams extend parallel to the elongated punch and die members. To form a first bend in the member, the member is supported in the punch press in engagement with top surfaces of vfirst upwardly projecting lugs on the beams adjacent corresponding ones of their ends, and apertures in the member are aligned with upwardly projecting second lugs adjacent the other ends of the beams, whereupon the engagement of the member with the rst lugs causes each of the beams to rotate in one direction to move the second lugs into the aperice tures in the member to locate the member in the punch Y press for the bending operation. Similarly, to form a second bend in the member, the member is positioned in the punch press in engagement with top surfaces of the second lugs and apertures in the member are aligned with the first lugs, whereupon the engagement of the members with the sec-ond lugs causes each of the beams to rotate in la reverse direction to move the iirst lugs into the apertures in the member to locate the member in the punch press for the second bending operation. Rotation of the beams by the positioning of the member lin the punch press causes flat surfaces on the beams adjacent the lugs which enter the apertures in the member to move into supporting engagement with the member las the beams rotate.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best -be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of a punch press provided with gaging apparatus according to this invention, with certain parts of the punch press having been omitted;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2 2 of FIG. l and illustrating a gaging device in a iirst operating position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the gaging device in a second operating position; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a plate member after bends have been formed therein in the punch press.

Referring to the drawings, it is seen that the illustrated embodiment of the invention is designed to locate -a dat plate member 11 in a punch press 12 for the forming of parallel bends 11a and i11b in the plate member along opposite edges thereof and at preselected distances from apertures 11e and 11d provided in the plate member for subsequent assembling of the plate member in a frame.

The punch press 1-2 includes a lower elongated horizontal die member 1'3, which can be seen extending along the left-hand side of FIG. 1, and which has a longitudinally extending substantially V-shaped groove 13a formed therein. The punch press 12 further includes an elongated upper punch or bending member 14 (FIGS. 2 and 3) having .a substantially V-shaped lower end in vertical alignment with the groove v13a along its length. When the plate member 11 is positioned in the punch press 12, in a manner subsequently to be described, and the punch member 14 is moved vertically downward by a suitable mechanism (not shown), the punch member 14 cooperates with the groove 13a in the die member 13 to form the bends 11a and 11b in the plate member as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The punch press 12 further includes h-orizontally extending laterally spaced auxiliary support members 16 (FIG. 1) suitably secured to the lower die member 13 for supporting the plate member 1'1 in the punch press in the plane of the top surface of the die member 13 for the bending operations.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a pair of gaging devices 17 are provided adjacent opposite ends of the punch press 12 for locating the plate member 11 in the punch press. Each of the gaging devices 17 includes a bracket 18 secured to the lower die member 13 by suitable screws and having an upwardly opening horizontal groove 18a formed therein. A beam 19 is pivotally mounted at its midpoint in the horizontal groove 18a of each of the brackets 18 on a pin 21, and may -be substantially equally balanced about its axis of rotation if so desired. The pins 21 are axially aligned and extend parallel to the die member 13 and the punch member 14.

As is best shown in FIG. 1, the opposite sides of each of the beams 19 adjacent its midpoint include laterally extending projections 19a which provide pairs of vertical shoulders 1917 on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the beam. The projections 19a lof each beam extend into vertical slots in the corresponding bracket 18, and these vertical slots provide vertical stop shoulders 18b spaced from the shoulders 19b and engageable thereby as the beam rotates. Thus, the shoulders 18b and 19b cooperate to limit the rotation of the beams 19 so that the beams normally are disposed in horizontal positions substantially parallel to the horizontal support members 16.

The upper surface of each of the beams 19 at the midpoint of the beam is disposed substantially in the plane of the upper surfaces of the support members 16 and, as is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes surface portions 19C on both sides of the midpoint of the beam which taper downwardly away from the beam toward its ends. At the ends of each of the beams 19 plate member locating lugs 22 and 23, having diamond shaped heads (FIG. 1) which project above the upper surface portions 19C of the beam, are mounted on the beam in any suitable manner, as for example by vertical stems thereof being press-fitted into vertical apertures in the beam as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As is best shown in FIG. 1, the lugs 23 are located in laterally projecting arms -of the beams 19 so as to be laterally olfset with respect to their associated lugs 22, for a reason subsequently to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is seen that the surface portions 19t.` of the beams 19 are tapered so that when the plate member 11 is positioned in the punch press 12 on the support members 16 in engagement with the tops Iof either the lugs 22 or the lugs 23, and the apertures 11C in the plate member are aligned with the other lugs, the engagement of the plate member with the tops of the first mentioned lugs causes the beams to rotate to move the other lugs into the apertures 11C to locate the plate member in the punch press 12 for the forming of the bends 11a and 11b. The degree of taper of the surface portions 19c is such that as the beams 19 rotate the surface portions 19c adjacent the lugs which enter the apertures 11e move into rm complementary engagement with the plate member, whereby the beams 19 cooperate with the support members 16 to support the plate member 11 in the punch press 12. The lugs 22 and 23 are located at distances from the die member 13 and punch member 14 such that when the lugs are located in the apertures 11c in the plate member 11, the bends 11a and 11b can be formed in the plate member at the proper distances from the apertures 11C and 11d.

Referring to FIG. 2, t-o form the bend 11a in the plate member 11, the plate member is positioned in the punch press 12, on the support members 16 in engagement with the tops of the locating lugs 22, and the apertures 11C in the plate member are aligned with the locating lugs 23. As noted hereinabove, the engagement -of the plate member 11 with the locating lugs 22 causes the beams 19 to pivot counterclockwise (FIG. 2) so that the locating lugs 23 move into the apertures 11c in the plate member to locate the plate member accurately in the punch press. The punch member 14 then is moved vertically downward into a position as shown by dot-dash lines in FIG. 2 by the above-mentioned suitable mechanism (not shown) to form the bend 11a in the plate member 11, with the portions of the plate member on either` side of the punch member moving up into the dot-dash positions shown in FIG. 2 during the bending operation.

Referring to FIG. 3, to form the bend 11b in the plate member 11, the plate member is removed from the punch press 12 and is turned over through 180. The plate member 11 then is positioned in the punch press 12 on the support members 16 in engagement with the tops of the locating lugs 23, and the apertures 11e in the plate member are aligned with the locating lugs 22. The engagement of the plate member 11 with the locating lugs 23 now causes the beams 19 to rotate clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3,to move the locating lugs 22 into the apertures 11C in the plate member to locate the plate member in the punch press 12. The punch member 14 then is moved vertically downard, as described above with regard to the forming of the bend 11a, to form the bend 11b.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, when the plate member 11 is being positioned in the punch press 12 by locating either the lugs 22 or the lugs 23 in the apertures 11e, as just described, it is apparent that the apertures 11d in the plate member are closely adjacent the other lugs. Thus, if the lugs 22 and 23 on each beam 19 were in alignment and not offset (FIG. l) as described hereinabove, the danger of the operator improperly locating the plate member 11 in the punch press 12 by inadvertently positioning the wrong lugs in the apertures 11d, would be substantially increased. Further, there would be a greater chance that the wrong lugs would move into the apertures 11d during the maneuvering of the plate member 11 to locate either the lugs 22 or the lugs 23 in the apertures 11C, thus delaying proper locating of the plate member in the punch press 12. The offsetting of the lugs 22 and 23 helps prevent either of the foregoing circumstances from occurring.

While in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the gaging devices 17 are shown as being mounted in the punch press 12, which is designed for forming the bends 11a and 11b in the plate member 11, it is apparent that the gaging devices 17 have general utility and could be used in other types of devices for locating members therein. Further, while the beams 19 of the gaging devices 17 are shown as -being pivotally mounted for rotation about a common axis in laterally spaced parallel relationship, it is contemplated that many other arrangements of the beams could be used as long as upon the positioning of a member in a forming device the member engages the top of one of the locating lugs on each beam to rotate the beam to move the other locating lug on the beam into position for locating the member in the forming device. Similarly, it is contemplated that a single one of the beams 19 could be used to locate a member in a forming device without the other beam, or that a pair yof locating lugs could be provided at one end of one of the beams 19 for locating a member in a forming device. It is to be understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustratlve of how the principles of this invention could be utilized, and that other embodiments of this invention readily will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the gaging devices 17 wherein the locating lugs 22 and 23 move into the apertures 11C in the plate member 11 to locate the plate member in the punch press 12, provide gaging apparatus in which the plate member 11 can be accurately located in the punch press for the forming of the bends 11a and 11b. Further, the construction wherein the lugs 22 and 23 on each of the beams 19 are offset with respect to one another, and move into the apertures llc in the plate member in response to positioning of the plate member in the punch press 12 for locating the plate member in the punch press, provides gaging apparatus in which the plate member 11 can be rapidly located in the punch press 12 for the bending operations. Similarly, the design of the beams 19 wherein the surface portions 19C move into supporting engagement with the plate member 11 in response to positioning of the plate member in the punch press 12 is advantageous, especially where the plate member is of relatively thin ilexible material.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed many modifications will be apparent, and it is intended that the invention be interpreted as including all modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device, which comprises:

a pivoted beam;

member locating means on said beam on one side of its pivotal axis engageable with the member for locating the member in the forming device; and

means on said beam on the other side of its pivotal axis engageable by the member as the member is positioned in the forming device, for rotating said beam to move said member locating means into a position in which it engages the member to locate the member in the forming device.

2. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device as recited in claim 1, and further including means on said beam movable into supporting engagement with the member when the beam rotates to move said member locating means into its member locating position.

3. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device as recited in claim 1, and further including means for limiting the movement of said beam about its pivotal axis when a member is not positioned in the forming device.

4. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device as recited in claim 1, in which said member locating means and said member engaging means are offset relative to one another laterally with respect to said beam.

5. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device, which comprises:

a beam pivotally mounted intermediate its ends; and

a pair of lugs projecting from one side of said beam on opposite sides of the pivotal axis of said beam, said beam being rotatable by the member engaging one of said lugs when the member is positioned in the forming device, for moving the other of said lugs into position for locating the member in the forming device for a forming operation.

6. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device, which comprises:

a beam pivotally mounted intermediate its ends; and

rst and second lugs projecting from one side of said beam on opposite sides of the pivotal axis of said beam, said beam being rotatable in one direction by the member engaging said iirst lug when the member is positioned in the forming device, for moving said second lug into position for locating the member in the forming device for a iirst forming operation, and said beam being rotatable in a reverse direction by the member engaging said second lug when the member is positioned in the forming device, for moving said rst lug into position for locating the member in the forming device for a second forming operation.

7. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device, which comprises:

a pair of spaced beams each pivotally mounted intermediate its ends; and

rst and second lugs projecting from corresponding sides of said beams adjacent the ends of said beams, said beams being rotatable by the member engaging said first lugs when the member is positioned in the forming device, for moving said second lugs into position for locating the member in the forming device for a forming operation.

8. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device as recited in claim 7, in which said beams extend parallel to one another and are pivotally mounted for rotation on aligned axes.

9. Gaging apparatus for locating a member in a forming device, which comprises:

a pair of spaced beams each pivotally mounted intermediate its ends; and

first and second lugs projecting from corresponding sides of said beams adjacent the ends of said beams, said beams being rotatable in one direction by the member engaging said rst lugs When the member is positioned in the forming device, for moving said second lugs into position for locating the member in the forming device for a rst forming operation, and said beams being rotatable in a reverse direction by the member engaging said second lugs when the member is positioned in the forming device, for moving said lirst lugs into position for locating the member in the forming device for a second forming operation.

10. In combination with elongated punch and die members for performing a forming operation on a plate like member, mechanism which comprises:

a pair of laterally spaced, parallel beams pivotally mounted intermediate their ends for rotation on aligned axes extending substantially parallel to the elongated punch and die members; and

first and second lugs on corresponding sides of said beams adjacent the ends of said beams and projecting above the sides of said beams, said beams being rotatable in one direction by the plate like member engaging said rst lugs when the member is positioned in the punch and die, for moving said second lugs into apertures in the member to locate the member with respect to the punch and die members for a rst forming operation, and said beams being rotatable in a reverse direction by the member engaging said second lugs when the member is positioned in the punch and die, for moving said rst lugs into apertures in the member to locate the member with respect to the punch and die members for a second forming operation.

11. In combination with apparatus including elongated punch and die members for forming bends in a plate like member and including co-planar supports for supporting the member, mechanism which comprises:

a pair of laterally spaced, parallel beams pivotally mounted at their midpoints for rotation on aligned axes extending substantially parallel to the elongated punch and die members;

means for limiting the rotation of said beams when a member is not positioned on the supports;

flat surfaces on said beams lying substantially in the plane of the supports adjacent the midpoints of said beams and tapering away from the midpoints of said beams toward the ends of said beams; and

rst and second lugs on each of said beams adjacent the ends of said beam, said lugs on each beam being offset with respect to one another laterally with respect to said beam and projecting above the flat surfaces of said beam, said beams being rotatable in one direction by the plate like member engaging said first lugs when the member is positioned on the supports, for moving said second lugs into .apertures in the member to locate the member with respect to the punch and die members for a bending operation, and said beams being rotatable in a reverse direction by the member engaging said second lugs when the member is positioned on the supports, for moving said irst lugs into apertures in the member to locate the member with respect to the punch and -die members for `a second forming operation, and said at surfaces, between the midpoints of said beams and said lugs which enter the apertures in the member to locate the member, being movable into substantially complementary supporting engagement with the member when the member is positioned on the supports.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

Henry. Murch 83-467 Warger. 

1. GAGING APPARATUS FOR LOCATING A MEMBER IN A FORMING DEVICE, WHICH COMPRISES: A PIVOTED BEAM; MEMBER LOCATING MEANS ON SAID BEAM ON ONE SIDE OF ITS PIVOTAL AXIS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE MEMBER FOR LOCATING THE MEMBER IN THE FORMING DEVICE; AND MEANS ON SAID BEAM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ITS PIVOTAL AXIS ENGAGEABLE BY THE MEMBER AS THE MEMBER IS POSITIONED IN THE FORMING DEVICE, FOR ROTATING SAID BEAM TO MOVE SAID MEMBER LOCATING MEANS INTO A POSITION IN WHICH IT ENGAGES THE MEMBER TO LOCATE THE MEMBER IN THE FORMING DEVICE. 